Twisted Ride vs. Far Mo Power in Page McKenney
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Twisted Ride seeks his fourth consecutive victory when he tackles a strong field of sprinters in the Page McKenney Handicap on Monday at Parx Racing.
The Page McKenney is one of two $100,000 stakes for Pennsylvania-breds at seven furlongs on the card, along with the Unique Bella for fillies and mares.
Twisted Ride captured the City of Brotherly Love around two turns last year when conditioned by Kate DeMasi but has reinvented himself as a sprinter for trainer Michael Moore. A four-length winner of a second-level allowance on Feb. 13 at Parx, he posted a game victory in the Fishtown on March 7 at Parx.
“He’s a tough horse,” Moore said. “When he gets in front and he duels, he doesn’t give it up. Last time, he got checked out of there a little bit and had to swing up around.”
For Twisted Ride to succeed, he’ll have to get through Beren, a multiple stakes winner who has won 11 of 26 starts for earnings of $842,920. Trained by Butch Reid, Beren earned a career-best 101 Beyer in his most recent start, a high-level allowance on March 27.
Far Mo Power is 4 for 5 at this distance, and the consistent gelding turns back to seven furlongs for the first time since last summer. Far Mo Power makes the third start of his form cycle after finishing third in Aqueduct’s Stymie racing a one-turn mile on Feb. 25.
Uncle Ernie bested Twisted Ride in a second-level allowance Nov. 8, then faced tough competition at Gulfstream Park. Fourth to next-out Dubai Golden Shaheen hero Sibelius in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector, he then finished second in the Gulfstream Park Sprint.
Trainer McLane Hendriks noted that Witty, a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel, sustained a corneal ulcer after the Grade 2 Gallant Bob on Sept. 24. Witty looked strong off the layoff beating restricted allowance horses, then finished an excellent second to Grade 3 winner Wondrwherecraigis in a high-level allowance at Laurel Park.
Smooth B, Prince of Rain, Market Maven, and Classy American complete the field.
Unique Bella
Reid seemingly has the Unique Bella surrounded with the uncoupled trio of Morning Matcha, Disco Ebo, and Ninetypercentbrynn.
Morning Matcha finished 2022 in fine fashion, running second in the Grade 1 Cotillion on Sept. 24 at Parx, then placing third in Aqueduct’s Grade 3 Comely on Nov. 22. Both of those races were two turns.
“We’re getting a race under her belt,” Reid said. “Not saying we’re not trying, but it’s a little bit under her best distance. She’s nice and fresh.”
Disco Ebo has won five of her last six, including a dominating 6 3/4-length victory in the Penn’s Landing on March 7.
“Seven-eighths is stretching her distance, I believe, but she’s doing fantastic,” Reid said.
Ninetypercentbrynn, a recent 8 1/2-length allowance winner, cuts back in distance and should run on late.
Trolley Ride, Mia Tosca, and Golden Tabby also are entered. Heartyconstitution will scratch, per trainer Joe Sharp.
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